Chapter 4: Studying Behavior

Extent to which the conclusions about the relationships among variable reached on the basis of the date are correct

• A variable that is not controlled in a research investigation
• In an experiment, the experimental groups differ on both the independent variable and the confounding variable

The degree to which a measurement device accurately measures that theoretical construct it is designed to measure

an index of how strongly two variable are related to each other

A relationship in which increase in the value of the first variable are accompanied by both increase and decrease in the values of the second variable

the variable that is the subject's response to; and dependent on, the level of the manipulated independent variable

ALL extraneous variables are kept constant

• A method of determining whether variable are related
• the researcher manipulates the independent variable
• controls all other variable either by randomization or by direct experimental control

the degree to which the results of an experiment may be generalized

an experiment that is conducted in a natural setting rather than in a lab

the variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable

The certainty with which results of an experiment can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than to some other, confounding variable

psychological processes that mediate the effects of a situational variable on a particular response

A Relationship in which increase in the values of the first variable are accompanied by decreases in the values of the second variable

Use of measurement of variable to determine whether variable are related to one another

Definition of a concept that specifies the operation used to measure or manipulate the concept

• characteristics of individuals
• age, gender, ethnic group, nationality, birth order, personality, or marital status
• nonexperimental
• must be measured

A relationship in which increase in the values of the first variable are accompanied by increases in the values of the second variable

• The responses or behaviors of individuals
• reaction time, performance on a cognitive task

• describe characteristics of a situation or environments
• length of words that you read in a book, the spatial density of a classroom

• When describing the relationship between two variables, a third variable is any other variable that is extraneous to the two variable of interest
• True experiments control for the possible influence of third variables

Any event, situation, behavior, or individual characteristic that varies - that is, has at least two variables.